strigil

[ strij-uhl ]

noun

1. an instrument with a curved blade, used especially by the ancient Greeks and Romans for scraping the skin at the bath and in the gymnasium.

strigil

/ ˈstrɪdʒɪl /

noun

1. a curved blade used by the ancient Romans and Greeks to scrape the body after bathing
2. architect a decorative fluting, esp one in the shape of the letter S as used in Roman architecture

Other Words From

• strig·il·ate [strij, -, uh, -lit, -leyt], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of strigil¹

1575–85; < Latin strigilis, akin to stringere to touch lightly; streak, strike

Word History and Origins

Origin of strigil¹

C16: from Latin strigilis, from stringere to graze

Example Sentences

Another holds a sponge for oils and a strigil, an instrument for scraping oil and sweat from the body.

From New York Times

Customers at ancient Roman bathhouses attended poetry readings once they had cleansed pores with strigil scrapings.

From New York Times

She rubbed her with oil, scraped her with a strigil, scrubbed her hands and feet with pumice, and washed her hair, pouring jug after jug of water over her.

From Literature

After competing, athletes returned to the locker room to scrape the oil and sweat from their bodies with an instrument made for this purpose, a strigil.

From New York Times

“So they carried a small jug of olive oil, which they rubbed onto their bodies and then scraped off with a metal scraper, called a strigil.”

From New York Times